The synchronization of new solar parks to the National Electrical System (SEN) has not brought the improvement expected by Cubans, who have been facing prolonged and unpredictable blackouts for months.
Despite the official announcement regarding the operational launch of the "Alcalde Mayor" solar park in Cienfuegos, with an average production of up to 120 megawatts (MW) daily, reactions on social media reflect more frustration than optimism.
On April 1st, the Electric Union (UNE) published its usual daily report in which it acknowledged that the electric service was affected throughout the entire previous day and continued to be so during the early hours of the morning.
During peak hours, the impact reached 1,536 MW, well above what had been planned, due to the unexpected shutdown of the Renté 6 unit and demand exceeding forecasts. The reported availability was 1,870 MW, compared to a demand of 3,380 MW for the nighttime peak, which resulted in an estimated deficit of 1,510 MW.
However, it was the data on solar park generation that triggered a wave of criticism. According to the report, the photovoltaic sites generated 873 megawatt-hours (MWh) throughout the day, which amounts to an average of about 36 MW sustained during the day. Nevertheless, many Cubans expressed skepticism about the actual utility of that production.
“Where is that electricity? Here in Mayabeque, we have been without power for over 15 hours”, wrote a user. “They put the megawatts in cumulative and people get confused, they think that solves the problem, but we continue with the same blackout or worse”, commented another internet user.
Several citizens also reported what they call a "technical manipulation" in the way information is presented. "MW is not the same as MWh, and the UNE should be clearer with that data," claimed a user who pointed out the lack of public understanding regarding these figures as one of the causes of discontent.
In the solar park of Cienfuegos, according to the official statement reported by provincial media, a savings of up to 25,000 liters of fuel per day is reported, thanks to solar energy generation.
But in the comments on the post, the residents of the province claim that they have not noticed any changes. "Here in Cienfuegos, we continue to endure blackouts of up to 20 hours a day", wrote an internet user. "Is that park in Cuba?", quipped another.
Complaints also highlight the lack of transparency regarding the actual availability of fuel, the condition of the offline thermal plants, and the distribution of the load among circuits. "UNE needs to provide a clearer explanation, because while they continue to inaugurate parks, we are still without power,” a user from Matanzas lamented.
MW is not the same as MWh: the explanation that many demand
One of the main complaints from users points to the confusion between the terms megawatt (MW) and megawatt-hour (MWh), a technical distinction that is not always clearly explained in official reports.
MW (megawatt): It is a measure of instantaneous power. It indicates how much energy a facility can generate or consume at a given moment. For example, if a solar park has an installed capacity of 20 MW, it means it can generate up to 20 MW when the sun is shining brightly.
MWh (megawatt-hour): It is a measure of energy accumulated over a period of time. For example, if the same power plant continually generates 20 MW for one hour, it will have produced 20 MWh of energy. If it generates 10 MW for 2 hours, that will also be 20 MWh.
The UNE report typically presents the accumulated solar generation data in MWh for the day, but most people compare those figures with instant demand, which is measured in MW.
This difference has led to widespread misunderstanding and distrust. “You cannot compare an amount accumulated throughout the day with a demand at a specific moment like 7 PM,” warned a commentator.
Although solar parks represent a sustainable alternative, their capacity remains insufficient compared to a national demand that, even in months with more moderate temperatures, exceeds 3,000 MW. Many warn that the situation could worsen with the arrival of summer.
Cubans not only criticize the lack of results but also the triumphalist discourse with which these achievements are presented. “Don’t sell something as a solution that barely moves the needle on the problem”, suggested a commentator. Others accuse the authorities of using solar projects as a facade to justify the structural inefficiency of the electrical system.
Meanwhile, the population continues to adapt their routines to the uncertainty of the blackout. "The country is dimming, but the worst part is that hope is being extinguished too,” wrote a young woman on Facebook.
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